Assessing the Impacts of Hurricane Sandy on Coastal Habitats

              Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge Before and After Hurricane Sandy

Hurricane Sandy reshaped much of the coast between Delaware Bay and Long Island Sound. Many of the changes destroyed valuable wildlife habitat, but in several cases created new opportunities for migratory birds and other coastal species. Following the storm, the American Littoral Society was commissioned by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to coordinate a regional assessment to evaluate environmental impacts, the physical effects the storm had on coastal habitats and the species which depend on them. The resulting study identified both region wide impacts, as well as changes to specific habitats. A special focus of the study was on protected conservation areas such as national wildlife refuges.

The Society’s mission is to promote the study and conservation of marine and coastal life and its habitats. We are working to insure that the findings and information in our study are used as the federal, state and local governments make decisions about their response to the storm. The Society and New Jersey scientists have used it to identify and act upon the most critical habitat restoration needs--the need to restore horseshoe crab habitat on the beaches of the Delaware bayshore before this year's horseshoe crab spawning and shorebird stopover in May and June.

   Read the report  

 Read the Star Ledger Article